World War II was devastating to many European countries so, with the “hope for brighter days”, many came to the United States to get a new start in life raising families, starting new careers and worshiping as they desired. My parents emigrated from Germany to the United States in 1953 leaving family, friends and careers to begin a new life in Salt Lake City, Utah.
My father lived through some particularly challenging times during World War II. In 1944 (at the age of 18) he enlisted in German officer training school. While serving in the German military he was captured by the Russian army in 1945. He was held as a prisoner of war in Russia for over 4 years, not knowing whether he would ever come home to see his parents and sisters again. Many times he saw the hand of the Lord protecting him when he should have been killed. But through these very challenging years, he never gave up hope – a hope that “brighter days” would lie ahead.
During his imprisonment, he was able to write home to his mother (over 50 letters) and receive letters of encouragement from her. She was also writing to her husband who was a prisoner of war in an American POW camp in France. Without her husband and son at her side, she had to raise and care for her young daughters by herself. My grandmother was a woman of great faith, a wonderful example to all her children and posterity.
During this Christmas Season I would like to share how my father maintained some sense of sanity during those difficult times and never lost “hope for brighter days,”- something that could be helpful to all of us during these challenging times as we ourselves wonder if there are “brighter days” ahead. Quoting from letters written to his mother (translated into English), he expressed the following:
1) (September 9, 1944, shortly before he was sent to the Russian front)
“Let’s have patience and hope for a better future.”
2) (February 5, 1948, from a Russian POW camp)
“I have been a prisoner of war now for almost three years. It has been a difficult time and a great experience of uncertainty and trial for me. I thank you, dear parents, for giving me the fortitude in my life to cope with these evil forces.
3) (September 1, 1948, from a Russian POW camp)
“I am grateful to Heavenly Father that you have overcome the difficult times at home not too badly and that you have remained healthy through it all. That knowledge gives me strength and the ability to remain patient.”
4) (December 25, 1948, from a Russian POW camp)
“Today is Christmas Day and I am sending you the best wishes of blessings and hope. Even if I am not with you, I know we are connected in thoughts and I can feel your total love for me, which gives me always strength and inner peace.”
5) (January 1, 1949, from a Russian POW camp)
“There is nothing better than a great family life, where no anger or hatred exists.”
6) (February 14, 1949, from a Russian POW camp)
“It is so hard, to retain the spiritual and moral strengths, and if it was not for my faith and the memory of all the things you have taught me, I would have probably become like most people here. Well, sometimes one can’t change one’s own destiny. One has to accept life as it comes.”
During these times of uncertainty, may we rejoice in the Light and Hope provided by the Savior of the World. May you feel of His peace and guidance during this holiday season and throughout the coming year, as we all look forward to “brighter days.”
— The Radack Family
(Note- For a wonderful short video story on the birth of Jesus Christ, see “The Christ Child: A Nativity Story” on YouTube.)